Texas Longhorns Football Season Previews

The University of Texas Longhorns Football Program

2011 Texas Football Preview: In Texas, football is not taken lightly, and the Longhorns finishing 5-7 in 2010 was just not acceptable. Other than Mack Brown coming back for his fourteenth go-around in Austin, the team is looking completely different, with six new coaches and an offense looking for a major overhaul.

Last year's starting quarterback, junior Garrett Gilbert, has felt the wrath of a sub-.500 season, as his name is not atop the depth chart. He is in a battle for his job against sophomore Case McCoy, redshirt freshman Connor Wood and true freshman David Ash. Behind whoever ends up QB will be a mix of last year's leading rusher, senior Cody Johnson, and senior Fozzy Whittaker, who will look to stay healthy and earn the main job.

Defensively, the biggest offseason news is the addition of coordinator Manny Diaz. He will be looking to shore up a D that had dropped from first to 44th in the nation last year. Senior defensive tackle and honorable mention All-Big 12 selection Kheeston Randall will be looking to help Diaz tackle the task, along with senior linebacker and second-team All-Big 12 selection Emmanuel Acho. However a team who had three of its playmaking cornerback leave for the NFL will have its challenges. If freshman Quandre Diggs, who was the top high school corner coming out in 2010, makes the impact he's expected to, Longhorn fans should expect a quick return to the top in 2011.

2010 Texas Football Preview: Texas' sophomore quarterback Garrett Gilbert had to grow up quickly last season when he was thrown into the BCS Championship game after four-year starter Colt McCoy left the game after just five plays. With Gilbert at the helm full-time after McCoy's graduation, the Longhorns may experience some transitional bumps this season.

With McCoy as quarterback, offensive coordinator Greg Davis employed a pass-first offense. While Gilbert certainly has a strong arm, the graduation of wide receiver Jordan Shipley has caused Davis to plan on using a more run-oriented attack this year. The Longhorns averaged a pedestrian 4.0 yards per carry in 2009, but sophomore running back Tre' Newton has the talent to greatly raise that figure.

Texas ranked third in the nation last year in total defense, and first against the run. Although the squad lost five starters from last year, there are plenty of talented replacements, like defensive tackle Kheeston Randall and linebacker Keenan Robinson.

The expectations are always high in Austin, and they might fall a little short this year. McCoy was an important member of the team for many years and will be sorely missed. Texas will still be among the best teams in the conference, but a national title might be a bit of a long shot.

2009 Texas Football Preview:Head Coach: Mack Brown The 2009 Texas Longhorns should be one of the top teams in college football. Head Coach Mack Brown's Longhorns return a talented lineup that is led by Heisman trophy runner up, Colt McCoy. Joining McCoy on an explosive offense is 6th-year wide receiver Jordan Shipley, game breaking wide receiver Malcolm Williams and emerging stable of talented running backs. Expect Colt to put up big numbers on offense again this season, which should translate into wins for the Horns.

The two biggest impacts on Texas defense should be the return of Defensive Coordinator Will Muschamp and his star linebacker/defensive end Sergio Kindle. In 2008 Muschamp took a talented group of players and transformed them into one of the most aggressive defenses in college football. If Muschamp's youthful secondary and Kindle play up to their potential, then Texas will be giving opponents nightmares all season long. The Horns have their sights set on a return trip to the Rose Bowl for the BCS Championship Game, and they are one of the favorites to get there.

2008 Texas Football Preview:Head Coach: Mack Brown The 2008 Texas Longhorns are ready to fight back up the ranks this season, coming off of a 10-3 record from last year. Coach Mack Brown and the Horns will be missing a few key players this year, notably: Jamaal Charles, Limas Sweed and Jermichael Finley, who largely contributed to the offensive success of the Longhorns last season. With Colt McCoy returning as a junior this season, the Horns can look to the now experienced QB for some crucial tosses in 2008.

The Longhorns will have to best Oklahoma to rout it out in the Big 12 this season. The key for Texas will be whether or not they can bring back their defense. In 2007, Texas sported the seventh worst defense in school history - a figure that will not support a winning streak for the Horns this year, especially as several key offensive players have graduated or moved on to the NFL. Texas is geared-up to go eight straight seasons of 10 wins or more, all you have to do is make it to the game and get your Horns up!

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